Violin Forum/Message Board

ollieken · Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 10:43 pm Post subject: Wood worms

I have an old spruce 1" x 18" wide board about 5 ft long to make a top .
the piece I cut off has worm holes can I put that in the oven to make sure they are none living.
The board comes from inside of an old barn that
was built more than 100 years ago
it must have been cut on the 1/4 as all the growth rings are straight

The worms should be dead as years ago around here 25 to 30 below
zero F.H was normal in January Feb winter`s are not the same here now the Government even took our winter
snow away from us .....
ken

Mat Roop · Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 2:23 am Post subject:

Hey Ken...I know you guys in NB do things up big... but a 5 ft board would not fit in my oven! Very Happy

... but if it fits, should work, just need to get the core to 120 deg C.
I would get some of that liquid sunshine or rubbing alcohol and soak the board real good... should take care of any little critters that might remain.
Cheers... Mat

ollieken · Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 10:19 am Post subject: mat

Mat thanks for the reply
Maybe I could leave the oven door open? & what do you
think a drop of sunshine med per hole don't think my shiner friend
would like me soaking the board with his made
by the light of the moon
medication Ken

L P Reedy · Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 6:09 pm Post subject:

You don't have to worry about the holes you can see. Those varmints are long gone. The problem is eggs and/or larvae at work on the inside. I have not had trouble with spruce, but mine is mostly kiln dried. I've had some beautiful pieces of maple ruined, though.

Be aware that when you cut into it you may find the inside almost hollowed. If there is any part of that board that has no holes I would recommend using it. I use my worm-eaten maple only where it doesn't matter, not for fiddle backs. I also learned to store wood as high off the floor as I can.

ollieken · Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 4:13 pm Post subject: Thank you

Mat &L p Thank you for the reply
I have the top almost shaped & the holes are mostly around where the purfling goes on one front bout I can cut that out & put a new piece in .

What I should have done is run the piece through the planer & take
some off both sides that would cleared the holes I think the rest of the board is ok Anyhow i am going to give them a little drink & a little touch
of hell to warm them up & carve the inside see how it turns out
thanks again Ken